Must Read News Articles I 11th February 2020

ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.

ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024

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SC upholds changes to SC/ST atrocities law

The SC has upheld a 2018 amendment which barred persons accused of committing atrocities against those belonging to SC/ST from getting anticipatory bail.

In march 2018, SC has ruled that there is no absolute bar against grant of anticipatory bail under the anti atrocities law if no prima facie case is made out or if judicial scrutiny reveals the complaint to be prima facie malafide.

However, Pariament introduced an amendment in the SCST(Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989, barring persons accused under anti atrocities law from getting anticipatory bail.

The SC has now upheld this amendment.

Review Court can refer questions to larger bench

A nine judge constitution bench of SC has upheld the decision of the five judge Sabrimala Review Bench to refer to larger bench questions on the ambit and scope of religious freedom practised by multiple faiths across the country. The bench has said that a bench engaged in the review of particular judgement could indeed refer other questions of law to larger Bench

US nod for air defence system sale to India

The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of a $1.867 billion Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) to India. However, this is awaiting the USA Congress approval.

Prepared for the coronavirus

The article mentions that India has responded in many ways to contain the epidemic.

A mix Indian health care can do without

The editorial argues that Ayushman Bharat entails diverting limited resources towards wasteful areas, ignoring productive fields in public health

Liberty at the government’s whim

The editorial details about the J&K High court ruling in Mian Abdul Qayoom v State of J&K cas on preventive detention stands as antithesis of the constitution’s basic functions

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CRR exemption for retail, MSME loans for 5 years

The RBI has exempted banks from Maintaining CRR for loans to retail and micro, small and medium enterprises for five years, if these loans are extended between Jan 31 and July 31 2020.

Facing up to realities

Drawing a similarity between India’ present economic crisis and China ignoring warning calls on corona virus, the article highlights that Health pandemics and economic crisis cannot be masked for too long.

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